The Consulting-Specifying Engineer Podcast

Guest: Vas Gnanadoss, Watts Water Technologies Sustainability is a core tenet of the building industry, and engineers should understand its importance. In this discussion, life cycle assessments and environmental product declarations are described in details, along with their importance in the building industry. Chapters (00:00:03) - Consulting Specifying Engineer Podcast (00:01:21) - What is Sust...

Guest: Sunil Lakshmipathy, PhD, and Anil Kapahi, PhD, from Jensen Hughes Energy storage systems must be designed to meet all fire, life safety and explosion codes and standards. Learn about explosion mitigation, passive and active mitigation measures and testing in this conversation. Core topics include NFPA 68, NFPA 69, NFPA 855 and various UL standards. Chapters (00:00:00) - Consulting Specifyin...

Guest: Jeremy Johnson, TBE, CxA Testing, adjusting and balancing reports can help ensure that a building's systems are running as effectively and efficiently as possible. However, sometimes these reports can be overwhelming or confusing for people unfamiliar with them. Jeremy Johnson, BE, CxA with American Testing Inc. joins us today to break down TAB reports and share why they can be so valuable....

Guest: Al LaPera, CxA, EMP, LEED AP Decarbonization is a word that gets thrown around a lot. But, what does it actually mean? Al LaPera, CxA, EMP, LEED AP, and Senior Building Energy Practice Builder for Kimley-Horn dives into what's driving decarbonization and the changes it's bringing about. Chapters (00:00:00) - Decarbonization: An Overview (00:01:05) - What environmental conditions are driving...

Guest: Erin McDannald, CEO and co-owner, Elevated Data centers and the building technologies surrounding them are growing at a rapid pace. No one knows this better than Erin McDannald from Elevated. In this discussion, she talks about artificial intelligence’s role in data center changes, implementation of direct current power and lighting and lighting controls. Chapters (00:00:00) - Consulting Sp...

Guest: Matthew Merli, PE, LEED AP, Fitzemeyer and Tocci Associates Inc., Woburn, Massachusetts  The manufacturing sector is changing and growing, and engineers must be aware of how to meet clients’ needs. In this conversation, Matthew Merli from Fitzemeyer & Tocci Associates Inc. talks about driving innovation in these high-tech buildings. Chapters (00:00:03) - Consulting Specifying Engineer P...

Guest: Charles Jackson, PE, LEED AP BD+C During the commissioning and testing, adjusting and balancing process, it's important for engineers to consider energy use and look for ways that systems can become more efficient. Charles Jackson, PE, LEED AP BD+C, discusses the benefits of existing building commissioning how they can lead to energy savings. Chapters (00:00:03) - Consulting Specifying Engi...

Guest: Craig Roberts, CEM, Account Executive McKinstry In this conversation, Craig Roberts from McKinstry looks at retro-commissioning in hotels, and how buildings can reduce energy use and enhance decarbonization efforts through retro-commissioning. If you need to know more about retro-commissioning and its benefits, this is a great place to start. Chapters (00:00:03) - Consulting Specifying Engi...

Guest: Don Cameron and Jordan Engel, Yaskawa Power quality and harmonics are issues electrical engineers must factor in when designing electrical systems with motors, drives or other equipment that cause distortion. Hear from Yaskawa’s Don Cameron and Jordan Engel for solutions and practical advice. Chapters (00:00:00) - Power Quality (00:01:16) - Power Quality Standards (00:03:04) - What Exactly...

Guest: Andy Smith and Mark Bigbie, Jordan & Skala Engineers Electric vehicle charging station experts Andy Smith, PE, CEM, LEED AP BD+C, Fitwell Amb., and Mark Bigbie, PE, from Jordan & Skala Engineers dive into what it takes to specify EV charging stations in commercial buildings. From placement to future-proofing, they look at EV charging from many angles. Chapters (00:00:00) - Consultin...

Guest: Todd Shackelford and Pratibha Basrao Adaptation of new technologies in the architecture, engineering and construction industry is an ever-changing target. In this conversation with Todd Shackelford and Pratibha Basrao from HDR, hear how they’re handling data analytics, emerging technologies and the topics surrounding workforce development with their clients and colleagues. Chapters (00:00:0...

Guest: Rob Tanner and Jon McCrea Decarbonization is top-of-mind for many engineers and their clients. How can consulting engineers help facility teams achieve these goals? Learn about heat pumps and related sustainable solutions from Rob Tanner and Jon McCrea from Johnson Controls Inc. Chapters (00:00:03) - Consulting Specifying Engineer Podcast (00:01:06) - Heat Pump Technology (00:04:50) - Heat...

Guest: Jane Baikadanova Understanding how to set up an engineering project and manage it through the life cycle is something Jane Baikadanova from IPQ is passionate about. Learn more about how to complete a high-quality project from start to finish, including a step-by-step process. Chapters (00:00:01) - Consulting Specifying Engineer (00:01:13) - Project Life Cycle (00:02:29) - The Best Ways to E...

Guest: Steve Flinn Direct digital controls (DDC) and programmable logic controllers (PLC) systems should be specified based on several factors, such as cost, project type and sophistication of the need. Steve Flinn from Stantec discusses where and why DDCs and PLCs are used, focusing on data centers. Chapters (00:00:03) - Consulting Specifying Engineer Podcast (00:00:58) - Direct Digital Controls...

Guest: Joe Romano  Electric vehicle charging stations, specifically the electrical and power systems, require engineers to fully understand electrical coordination and overall design. Joe Romano from Syska Hennessy Group talks about the issues electrical engineers must consider when designing new or renovating existing EV charging stations. Chapters (00:00:01) - Consultant Specifying Engineer (00:...

Guest: Brandon Reynolds and Eric Eric Graettinger EV charging stations have quickly become a top consideration for engineers, so it's important to understand the challenges these technologies present and what owners might want from them. Brandon Reynolds and Eric Gaettinger of Peter Basso Associates discuss how certain businesses are implementing electric vehicles and what issues they might face a...

Guest: Gregg Achtenhagen Lowering the temperature of hot water systems can help building owners and engineers meet sustainability goals. Gregg Achgtenhagen, PE, LEED AP, and senior manager with Cleaver Brooks discusses necessary considerations for designing low temperature hot water systems. Chapters (00:00:00) - Low Temperature Water Systems (00:00:44) - What is a Low Temperature Hot Water System...

Guest: Craig Janssen From immersive audiovisual systems to smart crowd management, the future of venue technology promises enhanced experiences for audiences and operational efficiencies for organizers. Craig Janssen, LEED AP, and Managing Principal with Salas O’Brien, discusses the unique considerations in the entertainment venue space and what designers are doing to enhance user experiences Chap...

Guest: Ronald Roos  Single-phase heat pumps have moved to the forefront of the decarbonization movement with higher efficiencies, lower operating ranges and multizone capability. Ronald Roos, senior manager for engineered sales with Lennox International, discusses applications for these pumps and why they've become so popular recently. Chapters (00:00:03) - Single Phase Heat Pumps (00:01:13) - Wha...

Guest: Brian Alessi  Decarbonization is often a top priority for new building or retrofit projects, however understanding an owner's priorities and restrictions can create difficulties in implementing these strategies. Brian Alessi, the sustainability director for Henderson Engineers, gives the audience tips for approaching these conversations and creating building systems that are healthy, sustai...

Guest: Richard Vedvik AI can help create building automation systems that are predictive, rather than reactive, which will save energy, can simplify tasks and save workers from overly repetitive tasks. Richard Vedvik, PE, senior electrical engineer and acoustics engineer at IMEG Corp. talks about how AI can be integrated into current building automation systems and what benefits it might bring. Ch...

Guest: Daniel Shepard  It can be difficult to strike a balance between cybersecurity and the functionality of control systems, especially with the speed of technological advancements in the world today. Daniel Shepard, Control System Cybersecurity Discipline Manager for Dewberry’s Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Structural practice, discusses key considerations for consulting engineers when c...

Guest: Brandon Reynolds and Eric Eric Graettinger As the use of electric vehicles (EVs) grow, so does the demand for charging stations. Brandon Reynolds and Eric Gaettinger of Peter Basso Associate discuss solutions and considerations to avoid problems down the line and choose the best, most cost-effective option. Chapters (00:00:00) - Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (00:01:34) - PBA On EV Char...

Guest: Tyler Mancl Fan Energy Index (FEI) is a metric that can assist engineers in selecting the most energy efficient fans for many different applications. Tyler Mancl, P.E., Principal Application Engineer with Greenheck’s Customer Insights Team, explains how an understanding of FEI can help engineers with code compliance to ensure that fans specified will perform with improved operating efficien...

Guest: Designing and maintaining data centers requires specific considerations and knowledge due to their large energy needs and unique codes and standards. In this episode, Forrest Secosky, the Commercial Marketing Manager for Data Centers with Eaton, breaks down the biggest trends and innovations engineers should know when working with data centers. Chapters (00:00:00) - Consulting Specifying En...